OPEN CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: EXPERTS TO SERVE ON THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES OF THE AFRICAN MEDICINES AGENCY (AMA)

Job Description

A. BACKGROUND

The African Medicines Agency (AMA), established under the AMA Treaty adopted by the African Union is a specialised continental regulatory agency. The main objective of the AMA is to enhance capacity of States Parties and RECs, to regulate medical products in order to improve access to quality, safe and efficacious medical products on the continent.

In accordance with Article 20 of the AMA Treaty, the Agency is mandated to establish permanent or ad hoc technical committees to provide technical guidance on specific areas of regulatory expertise. In line with Article 21 of the AMA Treaty, the technical committees shall be responsible for carrying out scientific assessments and conducting scientific reviews of dossiers, including quality aspects, and clinical trial applications; inspection of manufacturing facilities; and providing scientific opinion to facilitate the proper functioning
of the AMA.

AMA Technical Committees provide scientific, technical and regulatory advice to support the work of the Agency and contribute to strengthening regulatory convergence, scientific excellence, and access to safe, effective, quality-assured medical products across Africa.

In accordance with the AMA Treaty and the operationalisation of AMA’s technical functions, the Agency invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified experts from African Union Member States, particularly State Parties to the AMA Treaty, to serve on AMA Technical Committees (TCs).

B. TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

AMA seeks experts with demonstrated experience in one or more areas relevant to the regulation of medical products, including but not limited to:

1. Evaluation of Medicines, Vaccines and Biologicals
2. Regulatory Inspections including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspections
3. Medical Devices, Diagnostics and Emerging Technologies Assessment
4. Clinical Trials Oversight and Good Clinical Practice
5. Market Intelligence and Control
6. Vigilance
7. Innovation and Emerging Technologies

C. ROLE OF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Technical Committee members will support AMA by:

• Providing independent scientific and technical expertise;
• Reviewing scientific and regulatory assessments;
• Supporting reliance and joint review approaches;
• Advising on regulatory standards, guidelines, and best practices;
• Contributing to continental capacity strengthening;
• Supporting emergency regulatory preparedness where relevant.

Technical Committees shall serve in an advisory capacity and shall not replace the mandate of National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs)

D. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants should demonstrate:

Essential Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., medicine, pharmacy, pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory science, biotechnology, epidemiology, biostatistics, medical devices, public health, law, manufacturing sciences, quality systems, etc.);
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience;
• Demonstrated technical expertise relevant to the selected area of regulatory work
• Experience within:
o National Medicines Regulatory Authorities,
o Research institutions
o Public health institutions
o Manufacturing quality systems
o Academia
o Regional regulatory initiatives
o Clinical research systems
o Pharmacovigilance systems.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in regional or international regulatory collaboration
• Experience in joint reviews, inspections, reliance, or harmonisation initiatives
• Experience serving on expert committees
• Multilingual capacity (AU languages) is an asset.

E. SELECTION PRINCIPLES

Selection will be guided by:

• Scientific and technical excellence
• Regulatory relevance
• Geographic representation
• Gender balance
• Language diversity
• Representation from State Parties, while maintaining continental inclusiveness
• Avoidance of conflicts of interest

AMA particularly encourages nominations of experts with practical implementation experience within African regulatory systems.

F. TERMS OF SERVICE

• Appointment shall be for a defined period of three years, renewable once.
• Service shall be on a part-time, as-needed basis.
• Meetings may be held virtually and/or physically.
• Members shall sign:
o Confidentiality Agreement
o Declaration of Interest (DOI)
o Conflict of Interest (COI) forms
o Code of Conduct

G. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested experts should submit:

1. Expression of Interest Letter (maximum 2 pages) indicating:

• Committee(s) of interest
• Relevant expertise
• Motivation for serving

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Short Statement of Technical Experience relevant to the selected TC
4. Institutional Endorsement Letter (where applicable, particularly for NRA staff).

H. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT

Service on the AMA Technical Committees is undertaken in the interest of the African Union and the public health of Africa. Experts may receive honoraria and reimbursement of approved travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with applicable African Medicines Agency and African Union rules, regulations, and procedures, and subject to the availability of funds.

I. SELECTION PROCESS TIMELINE

All applications received by the closing date will be evaluated by the African Medicines Agency in accordance with the approved selection criteria and governance procedures.

Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for additional information where necessary. Final appointments shall be made following approval by the competent organs of the Agency, and successful applicants will be formally notified in writing.

J. DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY

All personal information and supporting documents submitted in response to this call will be used solely for the purposes of evaluating applications, establishing expert rosters, and administering the work of the Technical Committees. The African Medicines Agency shall process such information in accordance with applicable African Union rules and policies on confidentiality, records management, and data protection.

K. DISCLAIMER AND RIGHT TO MODIFY THE PROCESS

The African Medicines Agency reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to amend, suspend, postpone, or cancel this call for Expressions of Interest, in whole or in part, at any stage of the process, without incurring any obligation to applicants. Submission of an application does not constitute a guarantee of selection or appointment.

L. SUBMISSION PROCESS

Applications should be submitted electronically to: dg@au-ama.africa

Subject line: EOI – AMA Technical Committee

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Important Note

Service on an AMA Technical Committee is undertaken in the interest of the African Union
and the public health of Africa. Members shall serve in their individual expert capacity,
while recognising the critical role of national systems and institutions.

Closing Date for Applications: 18th June 2026

For Additional Details visit: >>>https://www.nepad.org/tenders/expression-of-interest-africa-medicine-agency-ama-technical-committees